WSJ:
New rules allow investigators to hold domestic-terror suspects longer than others without giving them a Miranda warning, significantly expanding exceptions to the instructions that have governed the handling of criminal suspects for more than four decades.
The move is one of the Obama administration's most significant revisions to rules governing the investigation of terror suspects in the U.S. And it potentially opens a new political tussle over national security policy, as the administration marks another step back from pre-election criticism of unorthodox counterterror methods.
If Barack Obama wins in November, we could have not only our first president who is an African-American, but also our first president who is a civil libertarian. ... As a former grass-roots activist, Mr. Obama understands the need to make the case for civil liberties in the political arena. At a time when America’s civil-libertarian tradition has been embattled at home and abroad, his candidacy offers a unique opportunity.
How do you like him now, Jeffrey?
Weren't we told ad nauseum back in 2008 that Obama was the anti-Bush? No more military adventures in the Middle East. No more undeclared wars. No more wars without consulting Congress. Respect for civil liberties.
How's that working out for you?
As I observed to a friend the other day, it's like we finally got rid of a case of piles (Bush) only to come down with a case of shingles (Obama). It's enough to make me wish we had Bill Clinton back ... and I was no Clinton fan.
The rubes keep self identifying.
Posted by: Jorge Landivar | 03/24/2011 at 02:53 PM
"It's enough to make me wish we had Bill Clinton back ... and I was no Clinton fan."
Really? Clinton? The guy who got us involved in the European Kosovo civil war (no threat to us), promised everyone would be home by Christmas (they're still there), and pleased Muslims so much that a Kosovan Muslim gunned down unarmed US soldiers sitting on a bus...in Germany?
That Clinton you want back?
Posted by: Dan K | 03/24/2011 at 02:57 PM
Yeah, that Clinton. (And I was no Clinton fan either.)
Posted by: Kathy Kinsley | 03/24/2011 at 03:08 PM
Clinton? I'm wishing for Jimmah about now.
Posted by: Charles Browning | 03/24/2011 at 03:12 PM
I didn't know civil libertarians were supposed to carry cards. Where can I get mine?
Posted by: www.google.com/accounts/o8/id?id=AItOawmPbxPJuEl5NycOX7QrY0XbY0Yt1pOLBeg | 03/24/2011 at 03:15 PM
@ Dan K: Even conceding your example, compared to Bush 41, Bush 43, and Obama, Clinton was a peacenik
Posted by: Steve Bainbridge | 03/24/2011 at 03:33 PM
Barack Obama, a civil libertarian? Not hardly, and I've got the research to back it up.
http://www.chrisofrights.com/2008/09/candidates-and-civil-liberties-final.html
Posted by: ChrisOfRights | 03/24/2011 at 03:37 PM
I miss the days of Reagan, when we had muzzies killing commies, and vice-versa. Now, we have to do it ourselves, and both of them are killing us.
Posted by: twolaneflash | 03/24/2011 at 06:24 PM